Ganesh Chaturthi

Today’s the birthday of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati’s son, Ganesh – the god of good tidings, remover of obstacles and the harbinger of wellness. Let us invoke his blessings for bringing peace and happiness to all members, both collectively and individually.
Tomorrow’s the birthday of another Virgo – our resident guru, Kishor Babani. Let us wish him good cheer, great health and long life – not to mention greater wisdom to share with us, both collectively and individually.
Come to think of it, there are too many Virgos we know whose birthdays are falling one after another. We have already celebrated the birthday of Lord Krishna on September 2, followed closely by Mother Mary’s (and Monthi Serrao’s) on September 8 and now it is Lord Ganesh’s. The day-after, on September 13 (soon after Kishor bhai’s birthday), it would be Harish Wadhwa’s.
As if all these Virgos were not enough, Bose and Bhatt are not just sharing their birthday, but it happens to also coincide with Radha Ashtami on September 15. And then on September 19, comes another big one: the birthday of Vaman Deva, the dwarf incarnation of Lord Vishnu. So we are all in charmed, if not august (sorry, september) company.
It can of course, be argued that unlike the gods, we mortals are not guided by the lunatic calendar and this year, even as Bose may share his birthday with that of Lord Krishna’s consort, next year he may not be as lucky. For by then, Radha may cease to even be a Virgo – as might Lord Krishna, Lord Ganesh and Lord Vaman. He would have to court a new set of gods for shared glory. This is the problem of being governed by a solar calendar.
Meanwhile, as Renu Babani had indicated yesterday, Shekhawat-ji has indeed pulled a rabbit out of his hat. The picnic would be at Lonavala, but the date has been moved by a week to September 25-26. And it would cost us much less – Rs 300 per head for an overnight stay, thanks to the guest house run by a religious trust that Kishor-bhai has identified. Together with actuals on transport, the damages should not exceed Rs 1,000.
Now, it is for the nitpickers to get into their act!

Renu Babani says:
Welcome Virgos! Party time once more as usual, and it always ends up as fun. Well, apart from the regular comments, criticism, the following day everyone makes it a point to attend and make it special for those celebrating. So, let's take it in our stride.
Regarding the picnic, what fun! Without the 'nitpickers', the planning would be so mundane. After all everyone is entitled to what they think, albeit nobody really pays attention. This picnic is something many are really eagerly awaiting. So what is all the fuss about anyway?
--Renu